Travis Kelce’s retirement, Patrick Mahomes misfiring and Andy Reid’s playcall ‘blame’

THE Kansas City Chiefs are in shambles – and plenty of blame can go around.

Travis Kelce, Patrick Mahomes, and Andy Reid have all played a role in the Chiefs’ ultimate downfall in the 2025 season.

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Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce walks off the field following the team’s 20-10 loss to the Houston Texans in Week 14Credit: AP

Patrick Mahomes heading to the locker room after the defeat at GEHA Field at Arrowhead StadiumCredit: Reuters

The Chiefs are 6-7 and find themselves on the brink of missing the playoffs for the first time since 2014.

They are eliminated from winning the AFC West for the first time in nearly a decade and need to win out to even have a chance of making the postseason.

Kansas City’s dynasty seems to be coming to an end after appearing in seven straight AFC Championship games and winning three Super Bowls since 2019.

So, how did the Chiefs manage to struggle this mightily after being a perennial Super Bowl contender?

The answers to those questions and more were answered on this week’s special episode of The U.S. Sun Sport’s Ain’t That Our Ball.

KELCE CALAMITY

Once again, Kelce hasn’t looked like the 10-time Pro Bowler that he once was.

The 36-year-old returned to play the 2025 season after contemplating retirement, but, like last campaign, he simply hasn’t gotten the job done.

“He’s been very inconsistent. You saw it against Houston when he was dropping passes left and right, [including one] which led to the interception at the very end.

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“He’s just not looked the same.

“… He’s been very lethargic [and] very weak. We see him on the sidelines… he’s looking like he should be on the couch watching football.”

Host Johnny Lewis also noticed his poor “body language” throughout the Week 14 loss to the Houston Texans and wondered whether his time in the NFL is coming to a close.

“I think it’s time [to retire]. He has more energy on New Heights than he does on games,” Sanudo added.

“[The game] has caught up to him. You’ve been playing so many playoff games compared to the competition… his time in the NFL is done.”

MAHOMES IS MISSING

For the first time in Mahomes’ career, it appears that his team will miss the playoffs.

And he is coming off his worst game of the season, as he threw three interceptions and no touchdowns against the stellar Texans defense.

While Mahomes hasn’t been bad this season, he hasn’t been amazing, either.

“He’s looked very average. He’s not looking like the guy who’s won two MVPs,” Sanudo said.

“Everyone’s not on the same page, and you know what, I’ll give some blame to Mahomes.

“He’s been [throwing] inaccurately at times, [especially with] the deep-ball.

“And sometimes, he doesn’t launch [the football].”

Sanudo did note that the Chiefs’ offensive line has disappointed, and the wide receivers haven’t moved the needle.

But the NFL analyst added that Mahomes hasn’t put on his [superman cape] and led the offense like in years past.

REID THE ROOM

The Chiefs are under .500 for the first time since 2012 – the year before the hiring of Andy Reid.

The players haven’t been getting it done, but the veteran Reid deserves more blame, says Sanudo.

“I put a lot more blame on Andy Reid. He’s the head coach at the end of the day,” he said.

“The play-calling has been a mess.

“Even the decision-making. They went for it on their own 30 against the Texans [in the fourth quarter], and you know they have a good defense.

“And sometimes, they’re conservative.

“I just don’t have a good read when it comes to Andy Reid.”

Lewis agreed, saying, “We’re starting to see a change in what we knew as the Chiefs.

“… Where are their leaders?”

Sanudo thinks Reid won’t move on after this season, but he did speculate that the 67-year-old could retire if the Chiefs have yet another disappointing campaign in 2026.

CHIEF CONCERNS

It’s safe to say that there are issues all over the place with the Chiefs.

But the problems start with the top guys, which includes Rashee Rice, who started the season with a six-game suspension.

“It’s wild that they can’t even rely on their main guys to make plays,” Lewis said.

Sanudo also believes that Kansas City’s mentality hasn’t been the same since they were clobbered by the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl 59 in February.

“They haven’t had the same luck. At the end of the day, guys are underachieving,” he said.

“I don’t think they have a bad team.

“The mentality just hasn’t been there like in years past.”

“They really haven’t gotten that MVP on the offense and on the defense, and that’s why they’re here right now.”

DEAD DYNASTY?

Sanudo believes the Chiefs had a dynasty, but those winning ways are now over.

“Guys are aging. Kelce won’t be there. It won’t feel the same if he’s not in the picture,” he said.

“Chris Jones is only going to get older. And then they have free agents. [Jaylen] Watson is going to be a free agent.

“The competition is only going to get better.

“Dynasties come to an end whether people like it or not.

[For the Patriots, it happened. They got those Super Bowls in Brady’s early tenure.

“Then they didn’t win a Super Bowl for 10 years. That can happen too [for Kansas City].”

Sanudo believes that the Chiefs won their recent Super Bowl titles thanks to an offensive identity – an aspect the team doesn’t have at the moment.

“They need some offensive players, or they’re cooked,” he added.

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